“The A+ School of Excellence™ program celebrates outstanding schools throughout Arizona and calls attention to the positive stories and successes occurring in public schools,” said AEF Executive Director Bobbie O’Boyle. “The application and evaluation process for this program is comprehensive and rigorous. We applaud these schools for going above and beyond the norm to meet their students’ needs and for achieving overall success despite the many challenges that face the education community statewide.”

Applicant schools are evaluated in the areas of student focus and support, school culture, active teaching and learning, curriculum, leadership, community and parent involvement and assessment data.

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” said SCVUSD Superintendent David Verdugo. “It speaks volumes about the hard work and commitment to academic excellence by our high school teachers and staff, thus making this the only high school in Santa Cruz County to earn this coveted award.”